Achievements of the IFAD-NUS project (2001–2005) Framework for its follow-up initiative (2007–2009)

no moreNeglected

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Front cover pictureWomen farmers, Kholli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India (S. Padulosi)

This programme was

successfully completed

four years later, laying

the groundwork for a

three-year follow-up

programme,

Empowering the rural

poor by strengthening

their identity, income opportunities and nutritional

security through the improved use and marketing of

neglected and underutilized species, which started in

2007. The foundation for these studies is a firmly

held and increasingly recognized belief that

biodiversity is important for people's lives, and that

one way of protecting biodiversity is by supporting

the use and appreciation of plant species that are

currently neglected and underutilized.

Introduction

Picturesa. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), (S. Padulosi)

b. Women farmers, Kholli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India (S. Padulosi)

c. Nursery of aromatic plants in El Arish, Egypt (S. Padulosi)

d. Nigella flowers (Nigella sativa), (S. Padulosi)

In 2001, with financial backing from the International Fund forAgricultural Development (IFAD), Bioversity International started aprogramme called Enhancing the contribution of neglected andunderutilized species to food security and to incomes of the rural poor.

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Why biodiversity is important

Biodiversity—or biological diversity—is the sum of all the species thatexist, their interactions and the ecosystems they form. It is the basis forfood, fodder, fibre, fuel, pharmaceuticals and many other products andservices that contribute to the wellbeing of all the inhabitants of our planet.

Cultural traditions and

religious beliefs are

intimately tied to

biodiversity, and

biodiversity-based

food culture is part of

the identity of

communities around

the world. Security,

resilience, social

relations, and freedom of choice and action are other

non-material benefits associated with biodiversity.

These benefits are, however, far from being fully

enjoyed by all people. Many regions in Africa, Asia

and Latin America are still deprived of the basic

infrastructure and know-how needed to make

biodiversity useful to them. Furthermore, the

biodiversity basket that the world relies on is

shrinking, constituting one of the greatest concerns

of our time.

Although there are some 7000 edible species

recorded today, only a very small number of these

are used on a large scale because of the

predominance of a handful of commodity crops,

such as maize and rice. Globalization and changes in

lifestyle, accompanied by the standardization of diets

and food cultures, are converting humankind's

centuries-old culinary heritage, which is based on

biodiversity, into a mere curiosity. Biodiversity-rich

dishes, whose vitamins and micronutrients are

strategic for nutritional security and for reducing the

incidence of obesity and cardiovascular disease, are

being replaced by foods rich in energy but poor in

nutritional elements. For millions of people,

particularly the poor, the current erosion of their

food culture is dramatically reducing income

opportunities and diet-related sustainability options.

In 2005, an Assessment Study was conducted to

evaluate the progress made in meeting the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); it

confirmed an increasing incidence of hidden hunger,

which is largely caused by simplified diets,

particularly among the poor. Genetic erosion is also

associated with loss of cultural values and beliefs, to

the detriment of local identity and self-esteem; the

safeguarding of these values is critical for reinforcing

development initiatives among the poor.

Mobilizing biodiversity, in particular species that

have been overlooked by research and development

(R&D) interventions, is a powerful way of giving

visibility and voice to the socio-economic groups that

rely on these species, and in doing so strengthening

the role of these groups in decision making, fighting

nutritional insecurity and poverty, and reducing

the silent cultural impoverishment that affects the

world today.

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Why

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Picturesa. Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) in Congo (S. Padulosi)

b. School children from Karnataka State, India (S. Padulosi)

Cultural traditions and religious beliefs are intimatelytied to biodiversity

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Neglected and underutilized species

Challenges Poor R&D

attention: NUS were

ignored by policy

makers and R&D

agendas during

the Green Revolution,

which focused

exclusively on major

crops. Today, the forces

of globalization are further exacerbating the

process of marginalization of local biodiversity.

Poor capacity: For the successful promotion of

these species, many countries need to strengthen

the capacity of the diverse actors that participate

in the value chain for cultivating, processing,

commercializing and promoting NUS.

Poor conservation: In most gene banks, NUS

have been poorly sampled, conserved and

characterized, which limits the possibilities of

improving these crops through breeding and

agronomic enhancement.

Lack of seed: NUS are characterized by non-

existent or very fragile seed supply systems.

Poor image: The low-status image of many of

these species represents a handicap for promotional

campaigns and makes them vulnerable to neglect in

times of socio-economic change.

Poor marketing: NUS are sold primarily in local

markets, where their products are often

characterized by poor quality and competitiveness.

Poor value chains: All too often NUS suffer

from non-existent or poorly organized value

chains, which make their commercialization

inefficient and unsustainable.

Poor information: Lack of precise data on the

extent of cultivation and use of NUS is an obstacle

for those interested in their promotion.

OpportunitiesNutritional value: NUS comprise a vast portfolio

of thousands of species that can play a strategic

role in boosting nutritional security and providing

diversity-rich food with essential micronutrients.

Source of diversification: NUS can be valuable

elements in agricultural diversification strategies

aimed at strengthening the income-generation

possibilities of rural households and forest dwellers.

High adaptation: NUS hold a comparative

advantage over commodity crops in terms of their

high adaptation to a range of agro-ecological

niches, marginal lands and low-input systems.

They comprise landraces, ecotypes and wild

species, which have the advantage of producing

well in areas where other crops would have poor

yields or would fail completely. This is an

important consideration in risk-mitigation

strategies for local communities.

Self-reliance: NUS are of special interest

in strategies for supporting self-reliance in

countries that aim to reduce the importation of

agricultural products.

Tradition: In the hands of the poor, NUS

represent a diverse, unique cultural asset and

make an important contribution to keeping

community traditions alive at the local and

regional levels.

Local knowledge and self-esteem: The fact

that the cultivation and use of these species draws

on rich indigenous knowledge (IK) makes them

ideal instruments for promoting the maintenance

of the knowledge, identity and self-esteem of

local communities.

Health: NUS are widely used for the preparation

of locally accessible and affordable medicines.

Flavouring: NUS offer a vast array of aromas and

fragrances for the preparation of traditional foods,

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There are diverse challenges that must be addressed by research anddevelopment efforts to promote the maintenance and use of neglectedand underutilized species (NUS). At the same time, the rich opportunitiesthey represent constitute an important source of motivation.

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thereby contributing to safeguarding typical

regional recipes, which are often featured as

important attractions in eco-tourism activities.

Today, farmers cultivate NUS less than in the past

because they are not economically competitive with

the crops that have come to dominate the world

food supply, which are supported by seed supply

systems, production and post-harvest technologies,

and extension services. In order to bring NUS back

into viable cultivation, or to stem their loss, it is

important to develop their competitive edge. New

markets, such as those that respond to innovative

food and lifestyle trends, must be discovered; new

opportunities, such as rural tourism, must be

explored; better policy frameworks—for instance to

support nutritionally-rich species, adapted to hardy

environments—must be developed; and investments

must be made to develop better production and

post-harvest technologies.

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In most genebanks, NUS havebeen poorly sampled, conservedand characterized, which limits thepossibilities of improving thesecrops through breeding andagronomic enhancement.

Picturesa. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) in Turkey (A. Karagöz)

b. Quince (Cydonia oblonga), (S. Padulosi)

c. Planting finger millet in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India (S. Padulosi)

d. Diversity in pomegranate (Punica granatum) from Turkmenistan (S. Padulosi)

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1996 The Food and Agriculture Organization of the

United Nations (FAO) International

Conference and Programme for Plant Genetic

Resources, in preparation for the International

Technical Conference on Plant Genetic

Resources, provided unprecedented visibility

to underutilized species, dedicating a specific

activity of the Global Plan of Action for Plant

Genetic Resources to their promotion.

The FAO State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture depicted a

disquieting situation with regard to the

conservation of non-commodity crops

(including underutilized species), noting that

these were very poorly represented in the 300

ex situ gene banks and collections surveyed

for the report.

1998 A panel of experts gathered in Florence, Italy

to discuss the development of a List of Species

that would serve as an alternative to Annex I

of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic

Resources; they made a specific

recommendation to include underutilized

species on this list.

1999 The IFAD-supported Workshop on Enlarging

the Basis of Food Security: Role of

Underutilized Species, held in Chennai, India

at the M.S. Swaminathan Research

Foundation (MSSRF), attracted great interest

from the Centres and donors of the

Consultative Groups for International

Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

2001 The Global Forum on Agricultural Research

endorsed the need to assist national

programmes in promoting NUS. In response,

the German Government approved support

for a newly established Global Facilitation

Unit for Underutilized Species (see box).

Increasing international recognition

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In reviewing the IFAD-supported work on NUS, it is important tonote that over the past ten years there have been significantinstances of international acknowledgement and promotion of thecontribution of these species to our global fight against nutritionalinsecurity, poverty and environment degradation.

The Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized

Species (GFU) is an initiative of the Global

Forum on Agricultural Research, the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United

Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural

Development, Bioversity International and the

International Centre for Underutilised Crops. It

is funded by the German Federal Ministry for

Economic Cooperation and Development

(BMZ) and based at the headquarters of

Bioversity International in Rome. GFU was set

up in 2002 to encourage wider deployment of

underutilized species globally. It supports

networks, organizations and others working on

underutilized plant species by providing access

to up-to-date information; formulating

recommendations to policy makers for the

amendment of national and international

policies to create an enabling environment for

these species; and increasing public awareness

of the role of underutilized species in

improving the livelihoods of poor people.

The World Vegetable Centre (AVRDC)

Strategy for 2001-2010 emphasized the

important role of the diversity of indigenous

and underutilized vegetables in ensuring

better nutrition, health and incomes.

Bioversity International published a Strategic

Action Plan for NUS.

The global initiative on NUS, Enhancing the contribution of neglected and underutilized speciesto food security and to incomes of the rural poor(TAG 533), was approved for funding by

IFAD, representing the first truly worldwide

effort in support of these species.

2004 At the 7th Meeting of the Conference of Parties

to the Convention on Biological Diversity, a

recommendation of the Subsidiary Body on

Scientific Technical and Technological Advice

(SBSTTA) was endorsed, calling for greater

efforts with NUS in order to strengthen food

security and improve human nutrition.

SBSTTA emphasized capacity building at

numerous levels to support the use and

enhancement of NUS.

2005 The global Horticulture Assessment,

commissioned by USAID, stressed the

importance of underutilized crops in

contributing to the revitalization of the

crisis-ridden developing country

agricultural sector.

The CGIAR published its research priorities

for 2005-2015, giving high visibility to

underutilized species (identified as

Underutilized Plant Genetic Resources,

UPGR) under System Priority 1b, Promotion, conservation and characterization of underutilized plant genetic resources to increase the income of the poor and Priority 3a, Increasing income from fruit and vegetables (many vegetables are, in

fact, considered underutilized species). In

addition, underutilized species are dealt with

indirectly in Priority 3d, Sustainable income generation from forests and trees and Priority 4d,

Sustainable agro-ecological intensification in low- and high-potential environments. Because the

emergence of niche and high-value markets

for underutilized crops provides a potential

pathway out of poverty for farmers in

developing countries, UPGR also are

relevant to Priority 5b, Making international and domestic markets work for the poor.

Some 100 R&D experts and policy makers

from 25 countries took part in an international

consultation organized at MSSRF. This

meeting represented a major milestone in the

efforts to increase support for agricultural

biodiversity, including NUS. The consultation,

jointly organized by Bioversity International,

GFU and MSSRF and co-financed by IFAD,

discussed the ways in which biodiversity can

help the world to achieve the Millennium

Development Goals, in particular the goal of

securing freedom from hunger and poverty.

The consultation resulted in the preparation

of the Chennai Platform for Action, which

emphasizes the importance of NUS and calls

on policy makers to promote specific

interventions in their support.

2006 Two international workshops were held, in

Sri Lanka and Kenya, jointly organized by the

International Centre for Underutilised Crops

(ICUC),1 GFU and Bioversity International.

These workshops contributed to the

development of a strategic R&D framework

for underutilized species.

The International Society for Horticultural

Science (ISHS) established a Working Group

on Underutilized Species, constituting the

latest recognition by the scientific community

of the role played by NUS in improving

people's livelihoods, as well as the need for

greater synergy and increased efforts to

support them.

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ICUC is a research, development and training organization. It

provides expertise and acts as a knowledge hub for tropical, sub-

tropical and temperate plant development. Since its inception, ICUC

has supported research on national priorities for germplasm

collections and on agronomy and post-harvest methodology for

underutilized species; it has also supported associated scientific

conferences and training events. ICUC has been instrumental in the

founding of several professional crop-based and regional networks.

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Picturesa. Yemeni children (S. Padulosi)

Achievements of the IFAD-NUS global project

This effort, coordinated

by Bioversity

International, represents

the first UN-supported,

truly global initiative to

promote NUS. As such,

it has contributed to

raising the visibility of

these species at the

national and

international levels and constitutes the most

comprehensive effort to date to enhance their use. It

also created an unprecedented opportunity for the

cross-regional exchange of experience, thanks to the

diverse range of partners involved (from the Andean

region to South Asia) and to the multi-stakeholder

participation in the project (scientists, NGOs,

universities, research organizations, regional

networks, farmers' associations, women's

associations and private companies).

The project worked to enhance the use of a number

of priority species, including Andean grains (Bolivia,

Ecuador and Peru), nutritious millets (India and

Nepal), and medicinal and aromatic plants (Egypt

and Yemen). This initiative comprised a wide

spectrum of activities, including assessment and

maintenance of diversity, selection of better varieties,

improvement of processing, value-addition,

enhancement of supply chains, influencing policy

makers and building public awareness.

As highlighted by an independent IFAD evaluation

carried out in November 2005, the project was

particularly successful in:

working with farming communities

securing and making available the diversity of

target species

improving agronomic practices

reducing drudgery in processing

adding value to products (e.g., avoiding

nutritional degradation and expanding the range

of palatable dishes)

conducting training and building capacity among

stakeholder groups

fostering the establishment of grassroots consortia

(e.g., self-help groups and cooperatives)

creating links among the various actors in the

value chains

raising awareness at the local, national and

international levels

The following table summarizes the outputs and

impact of the IFAD-NUS global project.

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The role played by the IFAD-NUS project Enhancing the contributionof neglected and underutilized species to food security and toincomes of the rural poor, implemented from 2001 to 2005, hasbeen strategic for a number of reasons.

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This effort, coordinated byBioversity International,represents the first UN-supported, truly global initiative to promote NUS.

Outputs Impact

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Picturesa. Germplasm of Andean grains safeguarded at the PROINPA’s gene

bank in Bolivia (S. Padulosi)

b. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), (S. Padulosi)

c. Stakeholder meeting in Bolivia (E. Carrasco)

d. Nutritious millet grains (S. Padulosi)

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More than 670 accessions of target species

collected from wild or cultivated sources

Numerous community-based conservation

gardens established in Ecuador

Ex situ conservation facilities upgraded in

Bolivia, Ecuador (two municipal gene banks

established), Peru, India, Nepal and Yemen

More than 21 biodiversity fairs organized and

‘champion farmers,’ who maintain high degrees

of diversity on their farms, recognized

More than 6,300 accessions of target species

material regenerated and multiplied in

gene banks

Lost varieties reintroduced to farmers (e.g., 30

varieties of quinoa and nine of lupin in

Ecuador; five high yielding local varieties of

amaranth in Peru)

Self-help groups established and strengthened

in India to safeguard diversity and seed used by

the community; agreements reached with local

communities in Peru to dedicate land to on-

farm conservation of the unique diversity of

local amaranth

Collection, characterization and conservation of diversity and indigenous knowledge

Species safeguarded and material provided for

crop improvement

Sustainable conservation of local varieties

supported and their use promoted locally

Safeguarding of target species improved

Exchange of varieties among farmers promoted

Use of gene bank material by farmers and user

groups facilitated

Unique and valuable genetic resource base of

target species reconstructed in local communities

On-farm conservation strengthened

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Outputs Impact

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Microcentres of diversity of Andean grainsidentified in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru; maps elaborated

Core collections of Andean grains developed

Descriptor list of cañahua developed

More than 1,500 accessions characterized and evaluated for agro-morphological and market traits

Farmer visits to gene banks organized

Guidance for conservation of local diversity andstrategies for its use provided

Use of diversity maintained in ex situcollections facilitated

Use of species facilitated through a betterunderstanding of genetic diversity

Appreciation of market traits of target diversity improved

Gaps between conservation of diversity in exsitu collections and its use bridged

Selection and dissemination of improved material to farmers

From more than 4,000 samples of target species, six sweet quinoa lines and two highyielding varieties of amaranth selected inEcuador; three superior varieties of fingermillet, yielding 34 percent more than localmaterial, selected in India

More than 1.7 tonnes of seed of Andean grains,more than 2 tonnes of finger millet and some140,000 seedlings of aromatic plantsdisseminated to farmers in Bolivia, India andEgypt respectively

Participatory selection and introduction ofgermplasm strengthened

Distribution of planting material to users improved

Documentation of uses, enhancement of market opportunities,commercialization and income generation

Diversity catalogues on quinoa and amaranth developed

Studies of nutritional composition of target species conducted

Surveys of the commercialization of target species conducted

Market system of target crops studied

Use of gene bank material by farmers and otheruser groups facilitated

Understanding of the contribution of Andeangrains and minor millets to the diets of theurban and rural poor improved

Understanding of the constraints andopportunities for commercialization of targetspecies improved

Understanding of value chains of species andtheir products, and of how to enhance the roleof actors in a fair and equitable way, improved

Picturesa. Winnowing finger millet in India (S.Padulosi)

b. A selected variety of foxtail from India (S.Padulosi)

c. Traditional pounding of millet in India (S.Padulosi)

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Outputs Impact

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Three manuals for growers of Andean grains produced

Manual for women on adding value tomedicinal and aromatic plants produced in Yemen

More than 100 courses and workshopsorganized on nutrition, improved cultivation,processing, value addition and marketingmethods, benefiting more than 1,000 people,including householders

Jointly with the Egyptian Ministry ofAgriculture, a greenhouse capable of producingmore than 150,000 MAP seedlings established inEl-Arish, Sinai

More than 200 students trained and at least 15undergraduate and graduate research thesesrealized on topics related to enhancing the use oftarget species and contributing to strengtheningNARS capacity to deal with NUS

Recipe books on food preparations published

Study of processing technologies at the familyand enterprise levels conducted; affordablemachines for threshing, decortication andmilling of Andean grains and finger millet bysmall enterprises and households developed

Alternative use of target species promoted,including novel food products (snacks, drinksand organic products) and non-food products(natural colouring agents)

Analyses of quality standards in marketingtarget crops conducted

Links along the value chain promoted

Efficiency of species cultivation by communitymembers enhanced

Use and empowerment of women's groups inmarketing local resources enhanced

Capacity of actors in the value chain improved

Capacity to provide planting material to localfarmers enhanced

Knowledge of potential use of NUS enhanced

Use of target species promoted and benefits from their nutritional properties enhanced

Efficiency in processing improved

Economic returns to local communities from useof target species enhanced

Marketing of species and products enhanced

Farmers' linkages to markets for target crops improved

Policy improvement and increased awareness

New standards for cultivation of Andean grains

developed and adopted in Bolivia; new

standards for processing and commercialization

of lupin developed and submitted for approval

in Ecuador

Several seminars on national policies conducted

Community-based displays of crop diversity

organized (46 in Ecuador and more than 200 in

44 villages in India)

Commercialization enhanced through higherquality of produce

Greater awareness of the nutritional role of Andean grains and minor millets generatedamong policy-makers

Awareness of the diversity of target crops andassociated opportunities for using themimproved at the community level

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Outputs Impact

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Several recipe books and pamphlets published

in target countries

Workshops, courses, videos, radio programmes,

articles in the national/international media—in

national and local languages—realized in all

partner countries

Conference for policy makers held in Chennai,

India (2005)

Use of Andean grains and millets promoted

Awareness of the contribution of target species

to nutrition and income generation improved

among stakeholder groups

Awareness improved among senior policy

makers; major international action platform

launched to promote greater use of biodiversity

and nutritionally rich NUS in addressing MDGs

Policy improvement and increased awareness

Picturesa. Post harvest technology for Andean grains (W. Rojas)

b. Grinding machine used by a self-help group in Orissa State,

India (S. Padulosi)

The project has contributed to raising the visibility of these species at the nationaland international levels andconstitutes the mostcomprehensive effort to dateto enhance their use.

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Although this work has

been successful, further

efforts are needed to

consolidate its

outcomes and to create

an effective and widely

applicable tool to

support NUS

worldwide. A follow-up

project, with IFAD as

the lead funding agency, began in 2007; it is designed

to ensure the realization of the full potential of NUS

in improving income generation, increasing

sustainable production and ensuring better nutrition

among rural communities.

GoalThis new project aims to contribute to empowering

the rural poor, and to raising incomes and

strengthening the identity and food security of small

farmers and rural communities worldwide, by

making full use of the genetic and cultural diversity

represented by NUS.

ObjectivesThe objectives of the new global project on NUS are:

1. to increase the contribution of NUS to improved

livelihoods by enhancing stakeholder capacity in

value-adding technologies, sharing best practices

for the promotion of local biodiversity (at both

inter-and intra-specific levels), and improving the

marketing of target species and products

2. to identify the contribution of key species to

dietary diversity and improved nutrition,

particularly among children and expectant women

3. to strengthen the contribution of NUS to

sustainable agricultural production by promoting

their integration within a greater range of

production systems, thereby ensuring more

effective use of these species and improved

maintenance of their diversity

4. to develop methodologies and approaches for the

management of tourism activities by local

communities, with a focus on safeguarding local

NUS-associated cultural identity and genetic

resource assets

5. to support the development of multi-sectoral

enabling policies at the national and international

levels, including the provision of relevant data to

policy makers, and to strengthen collaboration

among institutions working on NUS

Target beneficiaries The project is expected to directly or indirectlybenefit a wide range of stakeholders:

DirectSmall farmers, resource-poor

entrepreneurs, processors and actors in NUS supply chains will benefit from the availability of

better varieties and improved cultivation

techniques for less favoured and marginal areas;

access to profitable value-adding techniques;

enhanced quality; sustainable supply and

demand; and greater efficiency of market systems.

Links to other international and national projects

will provide access to scaling-up methods and

approaches, for their adaptation and adoption in

new areas.

Community members and marginalized groups will enjoy greater self-esteem as a result

of capacity development interventions; these, in

turn, will promote participation in existing and

emerging market and tourism opportunities.

A new global project on NUS

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The IFAD-NUS project has contributed to promoting research inand use of selected neglected and underutilized species in targetcountries, as well as to raising awareness of the need forincreased R&D at the national and international levels.

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Emphasis will be placed on empowering women

through the creation of employment

opportunities, development of skills and

promotion of increased access to training.

Consumers will have increased access to

nutritionally rich foods and dietary diversity,

resulting in overall improvements in health. In

particular, children, the elderly and women—the

groups most vulnerable to micronutrient

deficiencies—will benefit from the increased

availability of micronutrient-rich foods resulting

from the expanded use of NUS.

Research and academic institutions will

benefit from enhanced capacity and information

in the field of NUS thanks to the availability of

approaches, methodologies, research tools and

protocols. MSc research theses and other training

activities linked to project activities will also

contribute to improved research capacity.

Government departments dealing with

agriculture and public health will benefit from

the scope of the project in terms of species

coverage and tools generated, and from the policy

proposals it will generate.

Indirect Local institutions in the target countries will

be enabled, through increased awareness,

capacity and transfer of technology, to act as

multipliers of the promoted technologies and

approaches among their communities.

The private sector will benefit from novel

business opportunities generated or strengthened

by the greater use of NUS and their products, as

well as by the increased demand for these.

The international community will enjoy

access to public goods, including enhanced food

species, methodologies, research protocols,

technologies and other project deliverables.

Project componentsThe primary partner countries will be Bolivia, Peru,

Yemen and India. Other countries interested in the

selected crops (or in other NUS facing similar

challenges) will participate as secondary partners,

recipients and users of project deliverables. The

participation of African partners in the programme

will be ensured through collaboration with an

international project on fonio (Digitaria exilis) in West

Africa (awaiting approval of funding), the Bioversity

International-AVRDC Challenge Programme

activities on horticultural crops in Sub-Saharan

Africa (currently being implemented in Malawi and

Mozambique) and the IFAD PROFIL project in

Burkina Faso (under development).

Activities will be undertaken in pilot sites located in

the main partner countries and/or carried out

through global initiatives. These are grouped under

eight areas of focus:

Area 1: Assessment and enhancement of income generation based on NUS

Area 2: Assessment of the nutritional values of NUS and development of strategies for their enhanced use in nutrition programmes

Area 3: Enhancement of human and social capital of various stakeholder groups to manage NUS and derive benefits from their use, combined with strengthening of local identity

Area 4: Exploring the role of rural tourism in promoting NUS

Area 5: Improvement of availability, knowledge and maintenance of the genetic resource base

Area 6: Promoting better policies and legal frameworks for the sustainable and equitable use of NUS

Area 7: Promoting cooperation in NUS management and raising awareness of the importance of NUSto livelihoods

Area 8: Mobilization of support and fundraising for NUS activities

The project will strengthen the commitment of

Bioversity International to supporting NUS at the

global level. The methodologies, technologies and

approaches developed to date and refined through

this new project will be disseminated through

publications, workshops, training, web pages and

manuals. The dissemination vehicles for these public

goods will also include strategic partnerships with

key international actors such as GFU, the

Cooperation for Development Department of the

Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICUC,

Wageningen International (the Netherlands), the

NGOs Movimondo and UCODEP (Unità eCooperazione per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli, Italy), the

World Tourism Organization (through the initiative it

supports on Sustainable Tourism-Eliminating

Poverty), the Congressional Mickey-Leland Hunger

Fellowship Programme (USA), and the CGIAR's

System-Wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP)

and Genetic Resources Policy Initiative (GRPI).

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(S. Padulosi)

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NUS examples from around the world Species Common name Primary (local) use Region of main use

Adansonia digitata Baobab Fruit, leafy vegetable Africa Aegle marmelos Bael Fruit Asia Amaranthus spp. Amaranth Vegetable Africa, Asia, Latin AmericaAnnona squamosa Custard apple Fruit Africa, Latin America Argania spinosa Argan tree Oil crop, cosmetics Africa Artemisia annua Artemisia Medicinal Asia, EuropeArtemisia dracunculus Estragon Vegetable, spice Asia, EuropeArtocarpus heterophyllus Jackfruit Fruit AsiaBactris gasipaes Peach palm Fruit Latin America Basella rubra Ceylon spinach Vegetable AsiaBorago officinalis Borage Vegetable, medicinal EuropeBoscia coriacea Boscia Vegetable, medicinal Africa Campanula rapunculus Rampion Vegetable EuropeCanarium indicum Nangai nut Nut AsiaCarissa edulis Natal plum Fruit Africa Carum carvi Caraway Spice Asia, Europe Ceratonia siliqua Carob, locust bean Fruit Africa, Europe Cichorium intybus Chicory Vegetable Asia, Europe Chenopodium quinoa Quinoa Cereal Latin AmericaChoerospondias axillaris Lapsi Fruit AsiaCleome gynandra Cat's whiskers Vegetable AfricaCoriandrum sativum Coriander Spice Africa, Asia, Europe Corchorus olitorius Jute Vegetable, fibre crop Africa, Asia, EuropeCornus mas Cornelian cherry Fruit EuropeCrataegus monogyna Hawthorne Fruit, medicinal Asia, Europe Cydonia oblonga Quince Fruit Asia, Europe Digitaria exilis Fonio Cereal Africa Eleagnus angustifolia Russian olives Fruit AsiaEleusine coracana Finger millet Cereal AsiaEmblica officinalis Indian gooseberry Fruit AsiaEragrostis tef Tef Cereal AfricaFagopyrum esculentum Buckwheat Cereal Asia, EuropeGarcinia mangostana Mangosteen Fruit AsiaHippophae rhamnoides Sea buckthorn Medicinal, fruit AsiaIrvingia gabonensis Dika nut Fruit, nut AfricaIsatis tinctoria Indigo Dye Africa Jatropha curcas Physic Nut Industrial oil AfricaKerstingiella geocarpa Kersting's groundnut Legume AfricaLablab purpureus Hyacinth bean Legume, fodder Africa, Asia Lagenaria sphaerica Wild calabash Fruit, medicine AfricaLawsonia inermis Henna Cosmetics Africa, Asia Leucaena leucocephala Leucaena Vegetable, fodder AfricaMetroxylon sagu Sago palm Food crop AfricaMoringa oleifera Moringa Medicinal, vegetable Africa, AsiaMuscari comosum Tassel hyacinth Vegetable EuropeMyroxyron balsamun Peru balm Cosmetics Latin America Pastinaca sativa Parsnip Vegetable EuropePlectranthus esculentus Livingstone potato Tuber Africa Portulaca oleracea Purslane Vegetable Asia, Europe Ricinodendron heudelotii Ndjanssang Fruit AsiaRhus coriaria Sumac Spice, medicinal, dyes Asia, Europe Salsola kali Blackbush Vegetable EuropeSetaria italica Foxtail millet Cereal Asia, Europe Smallanthus sonchifolius Yacon Tuber Latin America Solanum nigrum Black nightshade Vegetable Africa Solenostemma arghel Argel Medicinal Africa, Asia Sphenostylis stenocarpa African yam bean Legume Africa Stevia rebaudiana Stevia Natural sweetener AsiaTamarindus indica Tamarind Fruit AsiaUllucus tuberosus Ulluco Tuber Latin America Vigna subterranea Bambara groundnut Legume Africa Vitellaria paradoxa Shea Oil crop Africa Ziziphus sp. Ber, jujube Fruit Africa, Asia, Europe

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ResearchResearch into the conservation and use of biodiversity

is important for everyone. The more plant and animal

genetic diversity we conserve, the more opportunities

there will be for innovation and growth in agricultural

production, and the more options we will have to cope

with climate change and new pests and diseases.

Biodiversity makes our environment more fertile, our

meals more nutritious and delicious, and our lives

more vibrant.

Biodiversity is available to people everywhere, even in

the most impoverished areas of the world. Indeed, some

of the world's poorest countries are among the richest in

biodiversity. Bioversity's aim is to promote research that

will protect biodiversity and harness it to fuel

community development in ways that respect local

traditions and the environment.

Bioversity is committed to research that fosters

sustainable development; research that helps people

living in poverty to secure dignified and sustainable

livelihoods through food and agricultural production;

research that helps to raise nutrition levels in areas

where hunger is widespread; and research that helps

to keep communities and the environment healthy.

Our area of expertise is biodiversity, but benefiting

people—especially the people of the developing

world—is at the centre of our work.

Our visionOur work is motivated by the vision of a world in which

the conservation and deployment of agricultural

biodiversity on farms and in forests enables people to

enjoy greater well-being through increased incomes,

sustainable improvements in food security and nutrition,

and greater environmental health.

Our missionBioversity undertakes, encourages and supports

research and other activities that involve the use and

conservation of agricultural biodiversity, especially

genetic resources, to create more productive, resilient

and sustainable harvests. Our aim is to promote

greater human wellbeing, particularly among poor

people in developing countries, by helping them to

achieve food security, to improve their health and

nutrition, to boost their incomes, and to conserve the

natural resources on which they depend. Bioversityworks with a range of partners the world over to

maximize impact, develop capacity and ensure that

the voices of all stakeholders are heard.

Our focus areasThe purpose of Bioversity's work is to enable

individuals and institutions to make optimal use of

agricultural biodiversity to meet the current and

future development needs of people and societies. To

achieve this purpose, Bioversity concentrates on six

focus areas:

developing and implementing strategies to promote

global collaboration for the conservation and use of

genetic resources for food and agriculture, with a

focus on policies, genetic resources information

systems and awareness raising

monitoring the status and trends of biodiversity,

including locating diversity in situ and measuring

genetic erosion

enhancing ex situ conservation and use of

species diversity

promoting the conservation and sustainable use of

important wild species

managing agricultural biodiversity to promote

better nutrition, improved livelihoods and

sustainable production systems for the poor

conserving the diversity of selected high-value

crops and promoting the use of this diversity to

benefit the poor

About Bioversity International

BBiioovveerrssiittyy is the world's largest international research organizationdedicated solely to the conservation and use of biologicaldiversity, commonly referred to as biodiversity. It is nonprofit,nonreligious and independently operated.

IPGRI and INIBAP operate under the name Bioversity International.© Bioversity International Via dei Tre Denari, 472a 00057 Maccarese (Rome) Italy Tel.: (39) 066118.1 Fax: (39) 0661979661Email: bioversity@cgiar.org www.bioversityinternational.org

Find out more about Neglected and Underutilized Species at:www.bioversityinternational.org/Themes/Neglected_and_Underutilized_Species/index.aspwww.underutilized-species.orgwww.icuc-iwmi.org

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ISBN 978-92-9043-737-6